Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-23
ALEXANDER II. SANDS.
SUDDEN DEATH OF THIS PROMINENT
MEMBER OF rBE BAR.
a Han Who was Well Known as Lawyer,
Author, and Preacher Of the
0ospel

Mr.. Alexander Hamilton Sands, citi-
zen whose name has familiar sound all
over this Commonwealth, died quite sud-
denly at 8 p. NJ. yesterday, at his rooms
at the northwest corner Of Grace and
Seventh streets. For twenty years he
had been in feeble health, and nothing
but strong will and devoted purpose
had enabled him TO withstand the in
roads OF his disease. His trouble was
from the lungs, and it was in
creased and magniiied by recent
cold, ending probably in pneumonia.
For somo years past Mr.. Sands had re-
sided in Henrico county about q mile
north Of the city, but having frequent
need 70 consult his physician he and his
wife some two weeks ago rented rooms
in Mr.. Courtney's house, Seventh and
Grace streets, leaving the remainder of
the family at their country home. He
was feeling very unwell yesterday morn
ing when he arose, but with the
help of his wife dressed, and as
late as o'clock was sitting in q
chair and talking TO his son, Mr.. VIII
liam ii. Sands. From remarks that he
made TO members of his family yester-
day and some days before it is probable
that he was fully conscious of his nearing
end. When it came he met il with that
calmness that was to be expected of the
man, and passed into eternity as peace
fully as eyerhe fellinto nights slumber.
HIS HISTORY.
Mr. Sands was born in Williamsburg,
and was for q time a student at William
and Mary College, but left before gradu-
ating in order to occept place as deputy
clerk in the Henrico County Court
clerks Office under Mr.. Loitin n. Elicit.
He later hold like position under his
brother, Mr.. Willia.l q. Sands, who was
clerk of the Superior Court of Law and
Chancery. which had It's location in the
courthouse which formerly stood in
the Capitol Square near the corner
Of Franklin and Twelfth streets.
In the course Of time Mr.. Sands qualified
himself to practice law and came TO the
lar in 1S49, and was first associated with
or employed by Mr.. Joseph Mayo, who
was then Commonwealth attorney.
Later on Mr.. Sands and Mr.. John How
ard associated themselves in practice
under the frm-name Of Sands & How
ard and did a prosperous business. After
the dissolution of this firm Dir. Sands
was the partner of Mr.. Steger, and later
Was of the firm Of Steger, Wilhams u
Sands. and was last associated in busi-
ness with nIr. William j. Lcake and Mr..
Hill Carter-Sands, Leake a. Carter.
LAW AND OTHER BOOKS.
Mr. Sands, in connection with Mr..
Tate, published valuable book of
Forms, which was revised and repub-
lished by Mr.. Sands, and had large
sale, and to this day is used all over the
Commonwealth. Deceased was also the
author Of "Sands's Suits in Equity" of
which two or more editions have been
printed At the time Of his death he was
engaged on a history Of the Virginia
Constitution.
But bis work as an author was not
coufued TO the law. "The Recreations
OF a Southern Barristcr, which he wrote
and published before the war, was widely
read. He also entered the field OF
romance with fair success. and scores Of
other articles found their way into the
LilerGf. Messenger and Re
ligjou3 HeraU, and be was editor of the
ECcniaQ Buiictin, which IN the long-ago
had d brief career he-e.